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May. 14, 2009
We have a plan
We have a plan . . . it looks like we are going home tomorrow! Noah still has a LOT of odd stuff going on, but it is either stuff that we can handle at home or it is stuff that no one can do anything about. Under those circumstances, we would just as soon be at home!
The best part of the going home plan is that Noah will not be going home on IV antibiotics. That is sort of a good news/bad news thing - we are tickled pink that we won't be running a very complicated, around the clock IV meds schedule. Unfortunately, one factor in discontinuing the antibiotics is that Noah now has yeast overgrowth in his gut - not good. This can be caused and/or made worse by antibiotics, so it was decided that the risks of the drugs now outweigh the benefits. Noah's infection labs look great and he hasn't had a fever for days. We'll be following him closely and doing lots of labs/blood cultures/etc. for the next several weeks in addition to his regular labs. He is now on Diflucan for the yeast. Poor guy. I do keep forgetting to mention that yes, he does get probiotics at home and in the hospital. When he was eating we also encouraged lots of natural yogurt which he used to love.
Like I said, we're treating the yeast, but the other stuff just sort of is what it is right now. We'll be playing around with his lipids to control the triglycerides - half the usual amount of lipids on alternating nights with no lipids at all on the other nights. It comes down to a waiting game. If any of these new problems were caused by this infection, they should gradually go away on their own. If they don't improve, we will cross those bridges later.
In typical Noah fashion, he *looks* great. He looks much better than anyone would expect considering all he has just been through. He's lost some weight and is quite a bit more tired (and more cranky) than usual, but he really does look good.
He had an uneventful transfusion yesterday. We had planned to transfuse him again today, but we got a decent bump in his hemoglobin from yesterday's transfusion so the doctors decided not to risk another transfusion right on the heels of Monday's reaction.
While it does look like we will be adding one or two daily boluses of IV fluids to his regular schedule, we are VERY thankful that we don't need to do the antibiotics. The fluid boluses will probably run for an hour each, which is two more hours a day of being hooked up, but we can deal with that and will try to do one bolus during nap time each day.
You all have been on the ball with the Prayer Warrior Wall photos - Jeff said we have already recieved several. I know Noah will get a kick out of seeing them, and I'm looking forward to it also. If you need the address again, it's:
Noah Estes
c/o Hands and Hearts
206 Yosemite Dr.
Greenwood, SC 29649
We want to extend our deepest appreciation to all of you who have walked and prayed and wept with us over the last couple of weeks. This hospitalization was a hard one for Noah and for me, and every prayer and every word of comfort/support/encouragement really did (still does) make a difference. We know that we are very, very blessed to have EACH of you in our lives!
Blessings,
Kate
PS As usual on discharge days, I can't *promise* that I will update tomorrow unless there is a problem. Getting out of here is a lot of work, and once I get home I have a bunch of wonderful children (and the world's best husband) who will need lots of TLC and attention. :-) |
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Posted by Christine in Maine 
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May. 14, 2009 - Untitled Comment
I have tears of joy knowing you are going home. Yet, I know that sickening dread of not knowing, having to wait and see, trying to just concentrate on now for now and not jumping ahead. Jesus did say not to worry because tomorrow has enough trouble of it's own. (Matth 6:30-34)
We share your joy...and pray for lots of low key cuddles, easy transitions home
Love
Monique
for all of us